American Cancer Society volunteers trained in Price

MaryAnn Jones, Communications Director for Utah and Idaho for the American Cancer Society, and Dori Kelsch, area director from Sterling, Idaho were in Price this week to train volunteers. Joan Hubert, Carbon County chairperson of the ACS and Becky Kloepfer, local co-chair of the Relay for Life Walk set for June 21 and 22, were also in attendance and helped with training the other local people that showed up at the event.

Volunteers for the American Cancer Society learned to be experts in the American Cancer society on Tuesday of this week. MaryAnn Jones, American Cancer Society Communications Director for Utah and Idaho was in Price working with about 10 volunteers. The timing was excellent as many of these volunteers have been spending endless hours preparing for the upcoming Cancer Relay for Life Walk set for June 21 and 22.

The American Cancer Society has 400 volunteers for every staff person in the United States and the work the society accomplishes can be directly attributed to the dedicated volunteers like those in Price.

Cancer touches most every family in the United States and in Carbon County. In fact, Jones pointed out that 5,900 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Utah in 2002 and unfortunately 2,500 will die. In Carbon County nearly 100 people will discover a cancer and almost 40 will die this year.

Because of the statistics, the American Cancer Society is arming its volunteers with knowledge of the great organization, its mission, and how they how they help to accomplish the goal of eradicating cancer.The American Cancer Society accomplishes its goals through cancer research, patient services, cancer education and advocacy.

"The power and dedication of our volunteers is often beyond understanding,"said Jones. "Price volunteers are truly some of the best we have in the entire nation. I'm please to be training the volunteers in the proud history, accomplishments, and mission of the American Cancer Society."

The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

Becky Kloepfer, co-chair of the 2002 Relay for Life reported on the big event to the group prior to the training. Kloepfer pointed out that there will be 32 teams.

Next Tuesday in the Sun Advocate a special supplement will be published with complete teams and schedules for the Relay for Life.

The committee is wrapping up last minute details such as the tents, finalizing volunteer assignments, arranging for the survivor's dinner and finalizing the opening ceremonies activities.